Request load for Kel-Tec SU-16F

[wasa]

I have a Kel-Tec SU-16F (website claims 1:7 barrel twist) that I am unable to get any group smaller than about 16" at 100 yards (all handloads). Bought the gun brand new just a couple months ago.

I mainly use 55gr FMJ Campro bullets. I have tried loads with W748, BLC-2, Varget, IMR 4320, IMR 4198, IMR 4895, H335, and IMR 3031. Most of my load data is from www.campro.ca but I have also tried loads from Speer, Lyman, and Hornady.

I also tried just using BLC-2 and tried 36gr, 40gr, 50gr, 55gr, 62gr, and 72gr bullets and none grouped less than 16" (10 shot group) at 100.

At 25 yards, my groups aren't horrible, and would lead me to believe I could group within 8" or so at 100. But I can't.

None of my rounds are keyholing - they just don't group worth a darn.

I have swapped the scope and rings and have the same problem. Currently using a 1-6x32 LPVO.

It's not the Campro bullets - they work fine in my Savage Axis 223, Ruger M77 220 Swift, Troy PAR 223, MRA Renegade 223.

Other than send my firearm back to Kel-Tec, anybody have any loads that actually work in a Kel-Tec SU-16F?

Thanks

 

[Cheesemaker]

Tried any factory ammo?
Are your sure the scope mount is solid? I see you have swapped the scope and rings - what are you used? What did you use?

Try any other bullets? Some barrels don't like some stuff others love.

 

[Blue68f100]

The heavier weight bullets would be my choice to work with.

Now that gun does not have a floating barrel, so placement of the reset on the hand guard will impact bullet projectory. How ever you support the gun must be the same each and every time.

 

[bullseye308]

I’d strip the scope off and remount from scratch. Ensure everything’s the way it should be and properly tightened. Clean the barrel and look for damage at the crown. Try some factory ammo. If nothing improves I’d contact the manufacturer about having them look at it.

 

[Palladan44]

I have a hunch that the scope mounting is solid and your handloads are fine, unfortunately.

 

[ballman6711]

I’d strip the scope off and remount from scratch. Ensure everything’s the way it should be and properly tightened. Clean the barrel and look for damage at the crown. Try some factory ammo. If nothing improves I’d contact the manufacturer about having them look at it.

This ^^^ is the path I would take.

I have a hunch that the scope mounting is solid and your handloads are fine, unfortunately.

Unfortunately, based on what the OP said, I think this ^^^ is most likely the truth.

chris

 

[wasa]

Thanks for the comments. I have tried different scopes (original was a Bushnell 1.5-4.5x32 with a pair of Vortex rings, now a 1-6x LPVO scope with a single piece mount) and same issue.

All shooting on a shooting bag, sitting at a bench, 100 yards outdoors (the 25 yard shooting is indoors and the groups are acceptable to me).

Will buy a box of factory ammo and see if that makes a difference.

Kel-Tec is on holiday until Jan 5 so will have to wait until I call them.

Today, I'll scrub the barrel but I'm thinking I have a lemon. Hopefully Kel-Tec will make things right (I hear they have good support - I bought it new so that should not be an issue).

 

[JamieC]

16" group at 100 yards? Did I read that right? Something is seriously wrong. First, I'd pull the scope and see what the iron sights do, eliminate the scope as the problem. Wow!

 

[BreechFace]

Yikes! I have a strong intuition this one’s headed back to Keltec.

 

[bfoosh006]

Thanks for the comments. I have tried different scopes (original was a Bushnell 1.5-4.5x32 with a pair of Vortex rings, now a 1-6x LPVO scope with a single piece mount) and same issue.

All shooting on a shooting bag, sitting at a bench, 100 yards outdoors (the 25 yard shooting is indoors and the groups are acceptable to me).

Will buy a box of factory ammo and see if that makes a difference.

Kel-Tec is on holiday until Jan 5 so will have to wait until I call them.

Today, I'll scrub the barrel but I'm thinking I have a lemon. Hopefully Kel-Tec will make things right (I hear they have good support - I bought it new so that should not be an issue).

Where is the shooting bag on the handguard ?

Is it possible you are "loading" the handguard, and that is pushing on the barrel ?

I'd try the bag by the magwell, just to see if precision improves.

 

[wasa]

Thanks to all. I called the store I bought it from and spoke to the gunsmith. He suggested examining the muzzle crown. I took off the muzzle brake and to my eye it looked fine. But, for grins, I took a bronze 223 brush, put it in my drill, and spun it at the muzzle for a bit (yes, maybe a bad idea, but I was frustrated).

Then ran patches and a bore snake through the barrel a bunch of times.

I bought two different 223/556 ammo - PMC green tip, and Federal "red box". The PMC green tips were horrid, but the Federal was OK (4" - 6" groups). My handloads of 55gr FMJ and BLC(2) or W748 were also OK, as seen in the pictures linked below (on the white paper, those are 1" squares).

So, was it the crown? Is it "good enough" now? Do I need to shoot 1000 rounds or so to get "better"? Currently, I'm thinking I can hit an 8" steel at 100 yards, so it might be "good enough". I'll call Kel-Tec next week and chat with them still.